Low income rental blinds
8 Replies
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James Conaway from Phoenix, Arizona
posted over 1 year agoI am remodeling a 4plex and am wondering if I should be the one to install blinds or just have the renters do it. I am leaning towards that's a landlord responsibility, but wanted a section opinion.
Mike Wood Project Manager/Engineer from New Orleans, LA
replied over 1 year ago@James Conaway I would suggest providing blinds. Otherwise you will have to patch holes when the tenant moves out and takes their blinds. You can get cheap mini blinds at Home Depot and Lowes for less than $5 per window. They are easy to install and easy to replace.
Also, if you dont supply blinds, be prepared for your tenants to use sheets to cover windows. That is not something that I want with my properties.
Rosston Smith from Macon, Georgia
replied over 1 year agoGo ahead and install them yourself. They cost like $3
Tim Sabo from Johnstown, Pennsylvania
replied over 1 year agoas @Mike Wood and @Rosston Smith mentioned, mini-blinds are inexpensive at wal-mart or box stores. Installing them yourself ensures the moundings around the windows don't get beat up, but that doesn't mean folks won't still hang sheets or towels from Windows. If you don't want that, prohibit it in your written lease. Also, they will get busted from time to time, and torn down, but that's the cost of doing business. Be careful to keep then cords shotened up where children are in the units.
James Conaway from Phoenix, Arizona
replied over 1 year agoHorizontal or Vertical more hard wearing for renters?
Julie Marquez Investor from Seattle, Washington
replied over 1 year agoGet the inexpensive horizontal mini blinds, just like everyone has suggested.
Michele Fischer Investor from Longview, Washington
replied over 1 year agoRegardless of what you do, low income tenants will put up blankets as drapes. It is the weirdest thing, seems to be cultural.
Window coverings should be landlord provided. Imagine moving into a home where you have no way to have privacy on your first evening there.
I am a big proponent of the wide slat faux wood horizontal blinds. They are more expensive, but they do not need to be replaced with each turnover.
Kathleen Leary from Princeton, Kansas
replied over 1 year agoI have an entire section in my lease concerning window coverings. I provide coverings for each window, which, if the tenant wishes to replace them, must be installed by me. Not them. Any additional hardware, etc. must be purchased by them. This ensures my drywall stays intact.
There is also a provision detailing what cannot be used as a window covering: foil, cardboard, towels, shower curtains, throws, sheets, etc. So far, one tenant did swap out the existing curtains for room-darkening ones, but that's it. Perhaps it's nit-picking to include that kind of clause in the agreement, but I think it's best for the tenants to know exactly what's expected going in.
Keith C. Brown Real Estate Agent from Suwanee, Georgia
replied 10 months agoGreat insight guys/gals, thanks.
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